How to fix Ozito PXBVAGS Grinder rocking?

Noyade

Recently purchased.

I love it.

But I noticed there is a slight rocking (<0.5 mm) 'up and down' movement in the bearing/blade edge.

Normal? Part of the design? Maybe required with battery/brushless variety grinders?

I only ask as some of my really cheap 240V variety have no movement at all in the bearing.

Cheers!

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MitchellMc

Does the threaded drive spindle have the play in it, @Noyade, or just the rear plate? With the blade locked into position with the front locking plate, is there play in the blade itself? My expectation would be that there is no in/out play once everything is locked in position and ready to cut.

Slight play may not be a concern, but I wouldn't take any chances and would have the team in-store check another unit to confirm whether that play is consistent with the design or indicates an issue with your unit.

Mitchell

Noyade

G'day mate @MitchellMc

"Does the threaded drive spindle have the play in it"

Hard to explain on the keyboard, but yes, I can rock the spindle away from 90 degrees.

But when I say rock - it's probably less than half a millimetre back and forward movement - if that makes sense..

I tried to assess the demo one in the store but it was perched at an awkward angle to handle.

I'll take it in to Bunnings next week and see what they think.

Cheers and thanks for the quick response.

AlanM52

G'day @Noyade,

I will be interested to see what comes back...

Due to the bevel gear setup I would expect a tiny amount of play - by design.

Could be the cheaper ones with no play may have a shorter service life - because they are cheap?

Cheers

Noyade

G'day @AlanM52

"Could be the cheaper ones with no play may have a shorter service life - because they are cheap?"

Do you remember Go-Lo?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-Lo

Back in the 90's they were selling generic branded electric tools with unheard of names. "Watts" (appropriate) was one - another was "Haydon."

The Haydon below is circa 1998. The others are around 15 years old - not quality brands.

The bearings in all of them are perfect - no wobble - and still going strong.

But I wanted to try the Ozito battery grinder to free myself from extension cords plus it has a beautiful variable speed function for very fine cutting/grinding.

I took it back to Bunnings. The staff were good sports and allowed me to sample two others - I selected the one with the least amount of 'wobble.' I'm thinking it's part of the design?

Three year warranty - see how we go. 😁

Cheers!

AlanM52

Howdy @Noyade,

Go-Lo 😃 😃 😃 😃... yes I do!

Cheers

Preview

Nailbag

Hi @Noyade, that MAC model was at one stage an Aldi home brand. Many of the powertools like that one was made by GMC which may have been even prior to their own brand change from Einhell which they listened here in Aust. That particular model was just a sticker change, it still has the GMC blue body and yellow switch colours.

One of the key differences between price-points; budget, DIY, trade and high-end trade/industrial is quality of components and construction through to assembly. This is both in mechanical and electrical parts. In the case of mechanical parts for angle grinders, then it will be how much tolerance between the teeth of the gears and how much lateral movement in the bearings. From new through to how tight they remain through time in use. My trade model that I just checked has zero movement.

In the earlier days in the tool game all I needed to do was turn on various grinders side by side to hear the difference in the gearbox noise. The quieter, the smoother sounding always came from models with the better gearbox component's. So in the case of your new toy, it's possibly within tolerance, but popping back to the store and checking other stock will confirm. Being corded or brushless has no direct impact on gearbox components. Though at a higher price-point the manufacturers maybe using higher grade components all round. If it is within tolerance, then it's more likely still going to give the same life expectancy for a DIY model, just on the noisier side. Having said all that I would expect the tolerance to be more in/out not left/right.

Cordless AG's are very thirsty on battery power. So, a few tips if you don't already know:

1. Use higher amperage battery packs. Not just for runtime, but for the extra energy produced. Min. 6Ahr

2. You can't lean on them too much like corded models. Lighter working pressure especially when grinding to keep the revs up will prevent stalling/cut-out

3. They don't have instant full power like cordless. They need a second or so before going to work or they will stall/cut-out

All brushless models will be far more efficient (than brushless) especially once you go into high-quality models, then the above is far more forgiving and operate more like corded models. I can put a high-amp battery on my trade model and work it very hard for extended periods.

Nailbag

Noyade

Thanks @Nailbag!

"That particular model was just a sticker change, it still has the GMC blue body and yellow switch colours."

Could be. This was the early 2000's if memory serves - all on clearance when Kmart emptied its shelves of hardware and tools.

A group Mac-Allister family photo...

"Einhell"

I only have two powered tools from them - both from the late 1990's.

A very powerful (850 watts and no spindle wobble) 100mm angle grinder and a small arc welder - interestingly, made in Italy.

Cheers!

Noyade

"GMC blue body"

They revolutionised the DIY tool industry at the time.

I was very disappointed when my GMC abrasive drop saw blew up last week. Twenty five years.

God bless it.

Noyade

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion.

Digging around - I realised Kmart's Mr Mac-Allister actually turned "yella" and changed to Mac-Master, before it's final death throes.

Ahh...memories. 😊

Nailbag

wow very impressive life @Noyade

Nailbag

Your really bought up @Noyade

Nailbag

The grinder came out of the Elu factory in Italy @Noyade. They made mostly very high-end wood working tools like routers. Bought out by B&D around the same time as they bought Raymond DeWalts business (he invented the radial arm saw). Most of the tools duplicated under the B&D grey industrial range until they combined them all, made them yellow and rebadged DeWalt and there the brand remained. Was always great quality just had a bad name under the B&D label hence the change. I was there through all of that prior to GMC. DeWalt and a few other brands are now owned by Stanely B&D.

Nailbag

Noyade

Cheers for the history @Nailbag !

"Elu"

I have a few Elu machines - these were made in Germany.

This Elu planer belonged to my father - a monster at 9 kg.

Cheers.

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